Valentine's Day show hits a romantic note

Martin Duffy

Romance was definitely in the air at the Melbourne Symphony's unashamed nod to Valentine's Day, the first of the Sidney Myer Free Concerts at the Bowl. The addition of two suspended screens playing high-definition close-ups of the orchestra, and some much-improved sound engineering have enhanced this year's offering, particularly for patrons up the hill. Conductor Benjamin Northey started proceedings impressively, delivering well-staged climaxes during a rhythmically precise musical account of ill-fated lovers in Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet: Fantasy Overture.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra set the mood for love at the first Sidney Myer free concert. Photo: Matt Irwin

Ravel's evocation of daybreak in the opening of his Second Suite from Daphnis and Chloe was realised excellently, with principal flute Prue Davis leading outstanding solo contributions from the woodwind section.

Richard Strauss' love affair with the female voice was beautifully consummated by soprano Emma Matthews in three of his best-loved orchestral lieder - Das Rosenband, Morgen! and Zueignung. Matthews' effortless floating of the voice, and her warmth and evenness of tone were radiant. Featuring excellent solo contributions from individual woodwinds and guest concert master Rebecca Chan, Northey's direction seemed to hold the orchestra back, often failing to take flight in support of their soloist.

Gershwin's Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture was a clear crowd favourite, featuring songs such as I got plenty o' nuttin, Bess, you is my woman now and the languid Summertime. Despite the MSO's considerable experience with crossover repertoire it seemed to take a while for them to truly swing. An enthusiastic audience was rewarded with a spritely rendition of Bernstein's Overture to Candide.